nterestingly, world over, much of mechanical inventions happened in the 1800s. So was it for fans. The kerosene operated fans emerged in the mid 1800s. In fact they need to be referred as kerosene lamp fans.
This piece of art was one of the earliest to be introduced by ALADDIS, which operated out of Greenford in Middlesex, GB. And was patented with No. 694273/4.
The STEVE BORGIA INDIAN HERITAGE MUSEUM at INDeco Hotels Swamimalai, the 1896 Tanjore Village, contains a few of these original  models. Kerosene fans appeared in a variety of models. The most popular ones were the table model, the stand model and the overhead model.  Further,  there were even centrally generated models. For today’s generation it could appear to be magic.  A typical kerosene lamp is positioned at the base. When lit, heats up the oil in the cylinder above. When the oil gets heated, the mechanical device starts moving (typical to that of a steam rail engine wheel). This mechanism moves the blades of the fan. They rotate at an unbelievable speed. INDeco Hotels Swamimalai, exhibits a variety of these models.  INDeco’s Lake Forest Hotel has one of the best available in the world.This kerosene lamp operated fan was sourced from the Yercaud region, a left behind by Mr. Victor C. H. Tate (Born 21st July 1912 – Died 2nd May 1998), who in the 1940s managed the Kombuthooki estate in Yercaud.
This fan exhibited at INDeco’s Lake Forest Hotel is one of the last of its kind in Yercaud. It was, gifted to Mrs. Tate (Flossy) by Henrietta Charlotte Rosario, also resident of Yercaud (1857-1940).
It is also believed that it was Mr. Tate’s father, who brought the electricity into Yercaud from Salem, that threw away such beautiful hand crafted gadgets. This kerosene lamp operated fan forms a part of  The STEVE BORGIA INDIAN HERITAGE MUSEUM .